9 unexpected ways to use maps in your home

These travel-inspired ideas are just the ticket for your inner daydreamer, especially if the next adventure to a faraway land is a short (or long) way off. With a little cutting, pasting and painting, you’ll be surrounded by exotic destinations, no visa required!
- byBetter Homes and Gardens

15 May
2016

Cross Stitch Map

Stitch your travels around the world. Cross Stitch Map is a world map, printed on cross stitch fabric and mounted on a wooden frame. Whether travelling by plane, train or automobile, recuperate from your latest adventure with a bit of crafty cross stitching! Shop the cross stitch map here.

Tray magnifique

Set the scene with an easy-to-make serving tray - it's a gorgeous way to bring out afternoon tea. Use a map from your last trip to keep it personal.

Andre Martin; styling Lisa Hilton; projects Kim Davies

Carry-on caddy

Travel light with this versatile caddy! Just load it up with office supplies or crafty bits for portable organisation, which can be easily moved from room to room.

Andre Martin; styling Lisa Hilton; projects Kim Davies

Penpal

Colour your world with pens and markers aplenty. You can find the perfect shade at a glance with this purpose-designed vertical storage unit.

Andre Martin; styling Lisa Hilton; projects Kim Davies

Overhead compartment

These handy boxes are light enough to wall mount, making them great cabinets for displays. Slide open their worldly doors to reveal hidden souvenirs and mementos.

Andre Martin; styling Lisa Hilton; projects Kim Davies

Stowaway

Bid 'bon voyage' to messy shelves with decorated magazine holders that continue the map theme. If you're an avid glossies collector, fill a whole shelf with holders to keep armfuls of your favourite periodicals in order.

Andre Martin; styling Lisa Hilton; projects Kim Davies

Treasure chest

Keep a boatload of everyday items stashed in orderly hidey-holes. It's a great way to clear out the catch-all kitchen drawer and makes quick work of sorting small essentials.

Andre Martin; styling Lisa Hilton; projects Kim Davies

Captain's log

Pen your tales of adventure in coordinating journals that inspire the writer within. Store-bought notebooks are easy to cover - just look out for hardcover options with plenty of pages. For a quality finish, cover as you would a school exercise book, cutting the paper at the spine and mitring the corners inside.

Andre Martin; styling Lisa Hilton; projects Kim Davies

Time to board

Never lose keys, receipts or tickets with a designated organising station. Add bulldog clips for mementos of your last holiday and sticky notepads to start planning your next big trip.